[Battle of Cape Spartivento, 1940, between the Royal Navy forces under Admiral James Somerville, and Italian ships.] Printed item: ‘Supplement to the London Gazette’, containing a 'Narrative of the action', with fold-out maps.

A scarce item. See Somerville's entry in the Oxford DNB, for the controversy, involving Churchill. 8pp, 8vo. With two plates of maps, the first a fold-out extending to the width of three pages. Stapled. In fair condition, on lightly worn and discoloured paper. In the customary double column. Begins, despite the date of the number, 'Wednesday, 5 May 1948 / Action between British and Italian Forces off Cape Spartivento on 27th November 1940. / The following Despatch was submitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty on the 18th December, 1940, by Vice-Admiral Sir James F. Somerville, K.C.B., D.S.O., Flag Officer Commanding, Force H.' The despatch is dated from HMS Renown. It is followed by a 'Narrative of the action between British and Italian Forces on 27th November, 1940.' divided into 83 sections. The fold-out plate, with three maps of 'situations' at different times, is headed 'Action off Cape Spartivento, Sardinia, 27th. Novr. 1940.' The other plate has the subheading 'Diagram of the approximate movements of Opposing Fleets.'